MEDYS 2027 Nafplio — Mediterranean Yacht Show, 8-12 May
If you happen to be in Nafplio in early May 2027, the harbour will look a little different from usual.
Alongside the local fishing boats and small pleasure craft, you'll find superyachts of 50, 60, even 65 metres moored along the quay — crewed by staff speaking English, French, Spanish, with charter brokers from Northern Europe having their morning coffee at the waterfront cafés. These are the days of the Mediterranean Yacht Show, better known in the industry simply as MEDYS.
What MEDYS actually is — and why Nafplio hosts it
MEDYS is not a public boat show. It's the Eastern Mediterranean's most important professional hub for charter yachting — a trade-only event that brings together around 100 Greece-licensed charter yachts for four days of yacht inspections, networking, and a packed social programme. Brokers, captains, crew, and shipyard representatives from across Europe converge here every year to see the season's best yachts up close, assess service standards, and forge the professional relationships that drive bookings throughout the summer. The choice of Nafplio is not accidental. The harbour is naturally sheltered and compact. The old town — Venetian alleyways, Palamidi fortress rising above, waterfront restaurants with direct views of Bourtzi — makes professional meetings considerably more pleasant than any convention centre could. Organisers have known this for years, which is why they keep coming back.
What you can see — even without credentials
Even without a trade pass, walking the waterfront during MEDYS days has a particular quality to it. Previous editions have brought vessels like ARTISAN (65m, among the largest yachts to visit Nafplio), LA PELLEGRINA 1 (50m), and TOTEM (50.5m) — the kind of superyachts you'd normally only encounter in Monaco or Saint-Tropez. Seeing them moored here, with the Bourtzi island castle as a backdrop, is genuinely striking. Evenings during the show are livelier than usual along the waterfront. Crew, brokers, and industry professionals fill the restaurants and bars well into the night. If you run a business in the area, consider it one of the better trading weeks of the spring.
The Chef's Competition — the part most visitors don't know about
One of MEDYS's most distinctive features is the annual Superyacht Chef's Competition. Chefs from participating vessels are given a set theme and challenged to create a three-course meal that adheres to specific requirements — past themes have included "Zero Waste From the Greek Seas" (2023) and "Gourmet Beach Food" (2019). An independent panel judges each entry on flavour, innovation, and presentation. It's one of the few chef competitions held aboard actual yachts, and it's earned a real reputation within the industry. Previous winners include Chef Aristeidis Vlachogiannis of AFRICA I in 2024 and Chef Tatiana Konstantidi of HAKUNA MATATA in 2023.
Dates, access, and what to expect
MEDYS 2027 runs from 8 to 12 May at Nafplio harbour. The event is strictly trade-only — there is no public admission to the yacht inspections. If you're interested in chartering one of the participating vessels, the right route is through an accredited charter broker who can attend on your behalf; the official MEDYS website carries a directory of participating brokers. If you simply want to see the fleet, the waterfront is open to all — just be aware that sections of the harbour may have restricted access during inspection hours. Parking in the centre will be tighter than usual; leaving the car further out and walking in is the sensible option. - Dates: 8-12 May 2027 - Venue: Nafplio harbour - Format: Trade-only (industry professionals) - Official website: mediterraneanyachtshow.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the public board the yachts?
No — yacht inspections are for credentialed industry professionals only. That said, the quayside during MEDYS is public, and the view of the assembled fleet is well worth a walk.
When are the schedule and participating yachts announced?
Typically a few weeks before the event on the official MEDYS website. It's worth checking from March 2027 onwards if you want early information on the fleet.
Does the show disrupt normal life in Nafplio?
Barely. There may be some additional foot traffic along the waterfront and the central restaurants will be busier than usual. A section of the harbour may have limited access during show hours, but the town operates normally throughout.
How does MEDYS connect to Nafplio's marina development?
MEDYS operates independently of the marina project, but the two reinforce each other. A modern, upgraded marina makes Nafplio more attractive for events of international scale, and MEDYS's long-standing presence here is itself a signal that the industry already trusts the city as a venue. The two are mutually good news.
Is there anything else happening in Nafplio around the same time?
Early May is one of the better periods to visit Nafplio generally — the weather is warm but not yet at peak-summer intensity, the old town is walkable, and the surrounding Argolida region (Epidaurus, Mycenae, the beaches around Tolo) is at its best. MEDYS week is a good anchor for a longer stay. If you happen to be in Nafplio in early May 2027, the harbour will look a little different from usual. Alongside the local fishing boats and small pleasure craft, you'll find superyachts of 50, 60, even 65 metres moored along the quay — crewed by staff speaking English, French, Spanish, with charter brokers from Northern Europe having their morning coffee at the waterfront cafés. These are the days of the Mediterranean Yacht Show, better known in the industry simply as MEDYS.
What MEDYS actually is — and why Nafplio hosts it
MEDYS is not a public boat show. It's the Eastern Mediterranean's most important professional hub for charter yachting — a trade-only event that brings together around 100 Greece-licensed charter yachts for four days of yacht inspections, networking, and a packed social programme. Brokers, captains, crew, and shipyard representatives from across Europe converge here every year to see the season's best yachts up close, assess service standards, and forge the professional relationships that drive bookings throughout the summer. The choice of Nafplio is not accidental. The harbour is naturally sheltered and compact. The old town — Venetian alleyways, Palamidi fortress rising above, waterfront restaurants with direct views of Bourtzi — makes professional meetings considerably more pleasant than any convention centre could. Organisers have known this for years, which is why they keep coming back.
What you can see — even without credentials
Even without a trade pass, walking the waterfront during MEDYS days has a particular quality to it. Previous editions have brought vessels like ARTISAN (65m, among the largest yachts to visit Nafplio), LA PELLEGRINA 1 (50m), and TOTEM (50.5m) — the kind of superyachts you'd normally only encounter in Monaco or Saint-Tropez. Seeing them moored here, with the Bourtzi island castle as a backdrop, is genuinely striking. Evenings during the show are livelier than usual along the waterfront. Crew, brokers, and industry professionals fill the restaurants and bars well into the night. If you run a business in the area, consider it one of the better trading weeks of the spring.
The Chef's Competition — the part most visitors don't know about
One of MEDYS's most distinctive features is the annual Superyacht Chef's Competition. Chefs from participating vessels are given a set theme and challenged to create a three-course meal that adheres to specific requirements — past themes have included "Zero Waste From the Greek Seas" (2023) and "Gourmet Beach Food" (2019). An independent panel judges each entry on flavour, innovation, and presentation. It's one of the few chef competitions held aboard actual yachts, and it's earned a real reputation within the industry. Previous winners include Chef Aristeidis Vlachogiannis of AFRICA I in 2024 and Chef Tatiana Konstantidi of HAKUNA MATATA in 2023.
Dates, access, and what to expect
MEDYS 2027 runs from 8 to 12 May at Nafplio harbour. The event is strictly trade-only — there is no public admission to the yacht inspections. If you're interested in chartering one of the participating vessels, the right route is through an accredited charter broker who can attend on your behalf; the official MEDYS website carries a directory of participating brokers. If you simply want to see the fleet, the waterfront is open to all — just be aware that sections of the harbour may have restricted access during inspection hours. Parking in the centre will be tighter than usual; leaving the car further out and walking in is the sensible option. - Dates: 8-12 May 2027 - Venue: Nafplio harbour - Format: Trade-only (industry professionals) - Official website: mediterraneanyachtshow.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the public board the yachts?
No — yacht inspections are for credentialed industry professionals only. That said, the quayside during MEDYS is public, and the view of the assembled fleet is well worth a walk.
When are the schedule and participating yachts announced?
Typically a few weeks before the event on the official MEDYS website. It's worth checking from March 2027 onwards if you want early information on the fleet.
Does the show disrupt normal life in Nafplio?
Barely. There may be some additional foot traffic along the waterfront and the central restaurants will be busier than usual. A section of the harbour may have limited access during show hours, but the town operates normally throughout.
How does MEDYS connect to Nafplio's marina development?
MEDYS operates independently of the marina project, but the two reinforce each other. A modern, upgraded marina makes Nafplio more attractive for events of international scale, and MEDYS's long-standing presence here is itself a signal that the industry already trusts the city as a venue. The two are mutually good news.
Is there anything else happening in Nafplio around the same time?
Early May is one of the better periods to visit Nafplio generally — the weather is warm but not yet at peak-summer intensity, the old town is walkable, and the surrounding Argolida region (Epidaurus, Mycenae, the beaches around Tolo) is at its best. MEDYS week is a good anchor for a longer stay.
